Bearing



Patented May l, 1934 BEARING Application 1Viay 31, 1930, Serial N0. 458,316

l? Claims.

even distribution of the force resisted by the.

bearing is not conducive to i;he production of a continuous film of oil between the surface of the bearing and the surface resting thereon as the pressure exerted between the surfaces in sliding contact acting toforce the oil out from beoween the surfaces varies from point to point anal the result is that although a fi1m of oil is formed at ehe points of least pressure it is squeezed out from between the surfaces at or before the point of maxirnum pressure.

A further disaclvantage of this uneven distribution of forces over the surface of the bearing is the fach thai; the bearing surface is vvorn unevenly. In the common cylinclricalbearing,

the bearing surface wears so that the bearing appears eliiptical in cross section. 'Ihis uneven wearing of the bearing surface is objectional because it materially shortens the period over which the bearing may be used. before it must be replaoed er repaired.

By my invention, I am enabled to obtain a continuous film of oil between the surface of Ehe bearing and the surface sliding thereon, and I am also enabled. to ootain a uniformly wearing curved bearing in which the forces acting on the bearing surface vary angularly aloout -the bearing. I employ a construction in whieh the bearing .is divided longitudinally thereof to fo-rm a 40 section which is movable about an axis parallel 130 the longitudinal axis of the bearing and lying inside of the bearing surfaee. The seeciorf so formed is caused to move about its axis loy the rotation of the shafi; in the bearing, and When so 1noved, chere is formed, by the inner surface 0I" the movable section anal the surface of the shafc, a substantially wedge-shape slot, the base of which is to tl1e real relative to the direction of rotation of the shaft. Oi1 delivered to the surface of the shaft is deliverecl 11o the base of this wedge shaped slot ancl a continuous film of oil is formecl between the surface of ehe bearing and. the suriace 01 the shafa.

In order 130 increase the efficiency of the movable section of the bearing lining ancl to cause the oearing surface 130 wear uniformly, I cut out portions of the bearing surface, the cus-out portions being such that the distance between the eclges the1eof inereases from the 1ine ab which the fo1ce exerteci upon the bearing surface is a maximum to the line ab which it is a minimum 01 zero. By cutting out portions of the bearing surface in this way, I obtain a surface over which there is uniform wearing force per unit of area.

Specifically, I provide an outer or main bearing shell simiiar to those in common use. The inner surface of the Shell is formed With one or more longitudinal depressions which are arcuate in cross section. These arcuate depressions are eccentric to the bearing and have a lesser radius of curvature than the inner surface of the shaft, Received within each of these arcuate depressions, there is a movable section which is free for limited angular movement. The outer surfaces of these sections are complementary to the surfaces of the arcuate depressions in the shell. 011 may be delivered to the surface of the shaft journaled in the bearing and the inner surface of the bearing by any known means, such for exa1nple, as oil rings which carry the oil from an oil sump to the top of the shaft. Rotation of the shaft Will draw the oil With 113 and due to the adhesion of the oil to the journal and because of its viscosity 01' resistance to fiow, the movable sections of the soft metal lining Will be drawn in the direotion of rotation of the shaft. 'Ihe movable sections of the lining slide along the surface of the arcuate depressions in which they are received and are caused, in eflect, to rotate through a very small angle about the axis of the arcuae depressions. This movemeni; of the sections forme, between the inner surface thereof and the surface of the shaft, substantially wedgeshape slots, the bases of which are t-o the rear relative to the direction of rotation of the shaft so that the oil may enter the slots in a thick film.

In oraler to make ehe action of the movable seotions uniform and to equalize the wear of the bearing surface, I cut out portions of. the bearing surface, the cut-out portions being transverse- 1y of the bearings and the edges thereof forming eine curves. By varying the contact area of the bearing surface in accordance with the sine of ehe angle, the bearing force per unit of area is equalized and the surface wears uniformly. These cut-out portions also form oil grooves through which oil may be distributed to the wedge shape slots formed by the movable sections.

I shall now describe in detail ehe embodiment of my invention which is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig, 1 is a transverse section of a bearing ernbodying my invention; and

Fig. 2 is a development, on reduced scale, of a lower half of the bearing shown in Fig. 1.

The bearing illustrated in the drawing consists of an outer shell which is separable into two parts 1 and 2 longitudinally thereof on a horizontal plane containing the center of the bearing. The inner surface of the lower half 2 of he bearing shell is of a greater diameter than the upper half l, and is provided with a series of longitudinal depressions 3 which are arcuate in cross section. The radius of curvature of the surfaoes of the longitudinal depressions is less than the radlus of curvature of the inner surfaces of the bearing and the axis about wloich depressions are struck lie on the inside of the bearing surface, that is, within the space in whioh a shaft is received. In these depressions, grooves 4 are formed in which rollers 5 are placed. A plurality of sections 6 of sector-shape in cross seotion are provided, the inner surface of these sections being concentric with the inner surface of the upper part 1 of the bearing shell. The outer surface of the sections 6 are complementary to the surfaces of the depressions 3 in the lower half cf the bearing shell anal are received therein, and rest upon the rollers 5 in the grooves 4; the rollers 5 constitute roller bearings; ball bearings may also be used. Between each cf these sections, there is a space so that the sections are free for limited angular movement.

The shell so formed is provided With a metal lining 7 such for instance as babbit. Transverse slots are cut in the upper portion 01" the bearing so that oil rings 8 may rest upon the surface of the shaft 9 journaled in the bearing. The oil rings 8 deliver oil to the shaft and the surface of the bearing lining from an oil sump in a manner we11 known in the art. Rotation of the shaft draws the oil with it and due to the adhesion o]? the oil to the inner surfaoe of the metal lining and its viscosity or its resistance to flow, the sections 6 are drawn in the direction of rotation of the shaft. This tendency of the sections 6 to rotate with the shaft is translated, by virtue of the curved surfaoes of the depressions 3 and the complementary unter surfaces of the sections 6, into movement about the axes of the arcuate depressions in Which they are received. Movement of the sections 6 about the axes of the arenate depressions 3 forms, between the inner surfaces thereof and the surface of the shaft, a substantially wedge-shaped slot 10. As shown in Figure 1, in which the shaft is indicated as rotating in the direction of the arrow, the bases of the wedge-shaped slots 16 are to the rear relative to the direction of rotation of the shaft. Oil carried by the shaft or delivered to the inner surface of the bearing through oil grooves is, therefore, drawn into these wedge-shaped slots 10 ancl forms a continuous film of oil between the surface of the shaft and the surfaoe of the bearing.

It is to be notecl that irrespective of the direction 01 rotation of the shaft the bases 01" the wedge-shaped slous formed between the surface of the shaft ancl the surface of the seotions will always be to the rear relative to the direction of rotation of the shaft. Tims, the wedges automatioally assume the proper position for obtaining a continuous film of 011 between the contacting surfaces. This reversible feature of the sections is aocomplished by locating the axes of the depressions Within the space in which the shaft is received.

In order to obtain the best results it is preferable that the bearing surface be such that the bearing weight is equal per unit of area cf the bearing surfaoe. In curved bearings such as the cylindrical bearing shown, the force acting upon the bearing surface. varies from a maxirnum in one radial plane, depending upon the direotion o1" application 0f the fernes acting upon the shaft journaled in the bearing, to zero in another direction at an angle to the direction of application 01 the maximum force. Thus, in the cylindrical bearing shown wherein the force exerted is the weight of the shaft and acts vertically downward, the force on the bearing surface is maximum along a line ab the bottom of the bearing and is zero at the sides of the bearing. 'Inis variation in the force exerted. upon the bearing surface is not conducive to uniform action of the movable sections 6, and causes uneven wear of the bearing, thereby shortening the useful life of the bearing. T0 avoid this uneven wear of the bearing and to increase the efliciency o1 the sections G, portions cf the bearing surface are cut away. These portions are cut out transversely of the bearing and the edges 11 thereof form sine curves as shown in Fig. 2. By cutting out portions of the bearing surface in this way, the area of the surface varies in accordance with the variation in the force acting upon the bearin-g surfaoe and there is obtained a surface upon which the force is equal per unit of area 0f bearing surface.

It is of comse to be understood that the bearing surfaoe will be cut away 011 either side of the line along w hich the maximum force is exerted. Thus, if there is more than a single force acting upon the shaft in the bearing, the forces Will be combined and the cut away portions Will be on either side of the line 0f application of the resultant of all the forces acting upon the shaft.

is also true that the number 01 cut-out portions is i1mnaterial and entirely discretional with the maker of the bearing. It is, nowever, advisable to place the oil ring over the center of the out-out portions for these cut-out portions act es oil grooves and serve to distribute the oil t0 the bearing surface and to the base o1" the weclgeshape slots formed by the sections.

It is obvious that various changes may be made in the embodiment illustrated and above partieularly described Within the principle and scope of my invention a-s expressed in the appencled claims.

I claim:

l. In a cylindrical bearing in which the force exerted on the bearing surface varies angularly about the bearing, a bearing surface having cutout portions, the edges o3" whioh form approximate sine curves.

2. A cylindrical bearing in which the force exerted by a shaft journaled in the bearing varies angularly about the bearing, a shell having a plurality of longitudinal, arcuate depressions in its inner surface, the arcuate depressions being eccentric to the inner surface of the shell and to each other, a bearing smface having cut-out portions, the edges of which form sine curves, and the axis of seid depressions in the shell lying within the cylinder formed by the bearing surfaoe, a plurality of seotions free for limited angular movement in the arcuate depressions in th inner surface 0f the shell, the outer surfaces of the sections being complementary to the surfaces of the arcuate depressions and the inner surfaces thereof constituoing portions of the bearing surface, and means for delivering 011 170 the bearing surface at a point to the rear of the sections relative to the direction of rotation of a shaft in the bearing.

3. A bearing comprising a plurality 01 sections, one of which is free for limited movement about an axis 1ying 011 the inside 0f the bearing surface for forming a substantially wedge-shape s1ot between the innar surface thereof and the surface in s11ding contact therewith, the base of the wedge-shape s1ot being 130 the rear relative to the direction of movement of the surface in contaot With the bearing.

4. A bearing comprising a plurality of movable sections, each of which is free for limited angular movement about an axis lying on the inside of the bearing surface for forming a substantially wedge-shape s1ot between the inner surface thereof and ehe surface in sliding contacc there- With, the base of the wedge-shape s1ot being to the rear relative to the direction of movement 01 the surface in contact With the bearing.

5. A bearing comprising a shell having an arcuate depression in its inner surface, the axis of which lies on the inside of the bearing surfaoe, and a section free for limited angular movement in the arcuate depression in the inner surface of the she11, the outer surface of the movable section being complementary to the surface of the arcuate depression in the surface of the she1l and the inner surface constituting a portion of w the bearing surface.

6. In a curved bearing in which the ferne exerted on the bearing surface varies angular1y about the bearing, a bearing surface including a portion extending the length 0f the bearing, anal a portion on each side of said fu11 length portion, said latter portions being progressively shorter in length in proportion to the sine of the angle between the normal to the surface of the ful1 length portion and the normal to the surface on each side of the ful1 1ength portion.

7. In a cylindrical bearing in which the force exerted on the bearing surface varies angularly abouu the bearing, a bearing surface including a portion extending the ful1 length of the bearing, and a portion on each side of the ful1 1ength portion and extending circumferentially ninety degrees therefrom, said latter portions being progressively shorter in length in proportion to the sine of the angle between ehe normal 130 the surface of the ful1 length portion and the normal to the surface on each side of the ful1 length porden.

8. A bearing comprising a bearing she1l, a pluralioy 0f sections mounted Within the shel1, each section forming a portion of the bearing surface and being shiftable in accordance with and in the direction cf the movement of a surface in sliding contact therewith, and means for translating movement of the sections into movement inclined to the surface in sliding contact therewith. for forming a wedge-shape slot between the bearing surface of the section and the surface in s1iding contact therewih.

9. A bearing comprising a bearing shel1 having an arcuate depression in its inner face, and a section forming a portion of the bearing surface mounted in said arcuate depression and being shiftable therein in accordance with the movement of a surfaee in sliding contact therewith, the arcuate depression in the bearing she11 being of a lesser radius of curvature than the bearing surface of the section mounted therein and the axis thereof lying on the same side of the bearing surface as the axis of the bearing surface.

10. A bearing comprising a bearing she11 having a series of arcuate depressions in its inner surface, and a bea1ing section in each of said depressions, one side of each section being complemencary to the arcuate depression in the bearing she11 and the other side forming a portion of the bearing surface and the several sections being shiftable in the depressions in accordance wit'n the movement of a surface in sliding sontact therewith, the depressions in the bearing Shell baing of a lesser radius of curvature than of the bearing surface and the axis of the depressions lying on the same side of the bearing surface as ehe axis of the bearing surface.

11. A bearing comprising a cylindrical bearing Shell having an arcuate depression in its inner surface, the radius of curvature of the depression being less than the inner surface of the bearing shell and the axis thereof lying on the same side of the inner surface of the shell as the axis thereof, and a bearing seotion mounted within the arcuate depression having one side thereof complementary to ehe curvature of the depression and the other side forming a portion 0f the bearing surface, said section being freely mounted within the depression in the Shell for movement in accordance With the movement of a surface in sding contact therewith.

12. A bearing comprising a curved bearing shel1, a bearing surface including a portion extending the length of the bearing, and a portion progressively shorter in length in proportion to the angular displacement from said full length portion, a bearing section mounted within the bearing she1l and forming a part of the bearing surface said section being shiftable in accordance With and in the direction 0f the movement 0f a surface in sliding contact therewith, and means for translating movemenb of the section into movement inclined 130 the surface in sliding contact therewith for forming a wedge-shape s1ot between the bearing surface of the section and the surface in s1iding contact therewith.

13. A bearing comprising a cylindrical bearing she1l having an arcuate depression in its inne1 surface, the radius of curvature of the depression being 1es s than the inner surface of the bearing she1l and the axis thereof 1ying on the same side of the inner surface of the she1l as the axis there- 0f, a bearing sun"ace including a portion extending the length of the bearing, and a portion on j either side of the full length portion, said latter portions being progressively shorter in length in proportion to the angular displacement from said full length portion, and a bearing section mounted Within the arcuate depression having one side thereof complementary to the curvature of the depression and the other side forming a portion of the bearing surface, said section being freely mounted within the depression Ior movement in accordance with the movement of a surface in slicling contact therewith.

14. A bea1ing comprising a bearing she1l a section forming a portion of the bearing surface mounted within the shell, said section being shiftable in accordance with and in the direction cf the movement of a surface in sliding contact therewith, anal means for translating movement of the section into movement inc1ined to the surface in sliding contact therewith for forming of the section and the surface in sliding connact therewith, the base of the s10t so formed being to the real relative to the direction 01 movement of the surface in sliding contact with ehe bearing. 15. In a curved bearing in which the force exerted on the bearing surface varies angularly about the bearing, a bearing surface including a ful1 length portion, and a po11:ion extending circumferentially of the bearing and being progressively shorter in length in proportion t0 the arcuate distance from said fu11 length portion.

16. In a curved bearing in which the force exerted on the bearing surface varies angularly about the bearing, a bearing surface including a fu11 length portion, and a portion 011 each side 

